Penn State Football: Hill, Carter, pick up Big Ten weekly honors, and other news and notes

Jordan Hill and Kyle Carter picked up weekly Big Ten Conference player of the week honors Monday morning, just two days after both played big roles in Penn State's 38-14 over Iowa in Iowa City Saturday night.

Penn State's Jordan Hill sacks Temple quarterback Chris Coyer and forces a fumble in the first half of the Nittany Lions' final non-conference game of the season. JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-NewsJOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News

Hill, a senior defensive tackle, recorded nine tackles, a season high, and a sack in the victory to pick up his first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors as a Nittany Lion. It's the first honor for a Penn State defender since Gerald Hodges took the honor with an 11 tackle effort against Northwestern on October 6th.

A freshman tight-end, Carter picked up the conferences' freshman of the week honor with a six catch, 85 yard effort Saturday night to secure his first freshman honor of his career, and the second of the season for Bill O'Brien's club. Defensive end Deion Barnes won Penn State's other conference freshman of the week honor this season after making five stops and forcing a fumble in the Nittany Lions 34-7 victory over Navy.

Buckeyes' healthy?

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller was knocked out of Saturday's 29-22 overtime victory against Purdue last weekend with a head injury, but Monday morning, Miller's status was made a little less murky.

The sophomore signal caller was listed as the starting quarterback on Ohio State's depth chart, which was released along with game notes from the program Monday morning.

Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer is expected to meet the media Monday morning, where he will likely update his star quarterbacks' status.

Also worth noting is the inclusion of running back Jordan Hall on this week's depth chart. A senior, Hall has been out of action since September 29th when he suffered a knee injury against Michigan State. If he doesn't play, junior Carlos Hyde will likely take the starting spot against Saturday evening at Beaver Stadium.

Rally in the Valley Set for Friday night

A pep rally featuring Bill O'Brien and his Nittany Lions' is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday night at Rec Hall in anticipation of Penn State's match-up with Ohio State the next day. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the free event, which will also feature men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers introducing O'Brien.